I have a bunch of those old silver fillings. I’ve been reading and recently learned they are filled with mercury. I know how dangerous mercury is. I want to switch out those fillings for the newer white ones that don’t have mercury but my dentist insists everything is all hype and they are perfectly safe. He said he “doesn’t do unnecessary procedures.” Shouldn’t I decide that?
Penelope
Dear Penelope,
So you are dealing with a school of thought that the dentist knows best. It’s taught in dental school. In some cases, that’s true. We have training the patient doesn’t have. However, it is also important that dentists listen to their patients. In this case, even if he doesn’t believe that there is any danger to the amalgam fillings, you do and you will never be peaceful while you have them.
There is a caveat here. I don’t think he should be the dentist to remove and replace them. Mercury melts at room temperature. There are special procedures that need to be in place in order to protect you from inhaling or swallowing the mercury and mercury vapors. This is called a sanitary amalgam removal and requires special equipment. Your dentist will likely not even know the procedure let alone have the equipment.
If you want to switch these out, your best bet is to find a mercury-free dentist. They only place white composite fillings. Most are also highly experienced in removing mercury fillings and will do so in a safe manner.
If you are otherwise happy with your dentist, you can stay with him and just go to someone else to switch your fillings, but you will need to ask yourself what will happen the next time you need a filling. Will he insist on a silver amalgam one?
You may be better served finding a dentist who is keeping up with his field a little better and is more intune with the desires of his patients.
There are some dentists who give free second opinions, so you could get a feel for their practice while you talk to them about your fillings.
This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Steven Collins.